Air Force. Puller Sr. and his older son had experienced a reunion that had

brought rare tears to John Puller.

 

But the exuberance of his son’s being free had been followed by a period of

rapid decline, at least mentally. Physically, the former threestar general was

far fitter than men his age. But it was a strong body paired with a fading mind.

And maybe the old man had been holding out until his son’s freedom was granted.

That goal accomplished, perhaps his father had simply given up, his energy and

along with it his will to live gone.

 

So Puller sat and watched his father, wondering what he would find behind the

chiseled granite features when the old man woke. His father had been born to

lead men into battle. And he had done so with considerable success over several

decades, earning virtually every medal, ribbon, commendation, and rank promotion

the service offered. Yet once his fighting days were over, it was like a switch

had been turned off and his father had swiftly devolved into…this.

 

The doctors described it as dementia transitioning to something else. And worse.

 

Puller described it as losing his father.

 

His brother was overseas on a new assignment that would keep him away for

several months. John Puller had just come off an investigation in Germany, and

once the plane’s wheels hit tarmac he had driven here to see his father.